The new Micro Commuter is a low-ish-speed EV (it can only go up to 50 miles per hour) that has a 60-kilometer (37-mile) range from a li-ion battery of unspecified size that can recharge in three hours. The car is also tiny, spanning just eight feet, two inches long by four feet, one inch wide. That makes it smaller in both footprint than the Smart Fortwo. It seats one, but can be reconfigured to seat two, tandem style.

The potential scope for the Micro Commuter is also small, at least for now. Honda is testing the EV, "in various uses including supporting everyday short-distance transportation for families with small children and for senior citizens, home delivery services, commuting and car sharing." The big idea here is Honda's Variable Design Platform, which allows different configurations to be placed on top of a platform that contains the battery, control unit and 15-kW motor. Other futuristic touches, like using your own tablet computer as a battery meter or backup camera display screen, are being considered.

Honda will start testing the Micro Commuter in 2013 as part of an initiative spearheaded by the Japanese Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism. The car is also being developed with an eye on L7 category (quadricycle) regulations in Europe. An earlier version of the Micro Commuter was unveiled at the Tokyo Motor Show in 2011.

TOKYO, Japan, November 13, 2012 - Honda Motor Co., Ltd. today unveiled the Micro Commuter Prototype, a micro-sized short distance EV commuter. This vehicle was developed in consideration of the vehicle categories for micro-sized mobility products that are currently being discussed under the initiative of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in Japan as well as for the regulations for the L7 category*1 in Europe.

Using vehicles based on this prototype model, Honda will begin demonstration testing in Japan in 2013. The demonstration testing will verify the potential of the vehicle in various uses including supporting everyday short-distance transportation for families with small children and for senior citizens, home delivery services, commuting and car sharing.

Advancing the Micro Commuter Concept that was first introduced at the Tokyo Motor Show 2011, this prototype model realized a cabin space to seat one driver and two children*2 in the micro-sized body.

The adoption of the Variable Design Platform positions components such as the battery, motor and control unit under the floor and in the rear space to concentrate the vehicle driving functions into a compact space. This made it comparatively easier to develop and produce a body and interior that accommodates various uses and customers' needs than existing vehicles.

Other features of this model include the use of a user-owned tablet device for the application of functions such as meter display, navigation, audio and back-up camera display, and the ability to charge the battery of the tablet using solar cells mounted on the vehicle roof. Moreover, Honda is continuing research of onboard solar cells to provide solar energy to assist the driving.

Furthermore, through collaboration with the Honda Smart Home System (HSHS) that has already begun demonstration testing in the city of Saitama in Japan, Honda is planning to verify the CO2 reduction effect from the optimized energy management in everyday life and the values this vehicle can provide for customers when it is used not only as an EV but also as a household battery.

Striving to continue proposing next-generation mobility products which expand the joy and fun of mobility while minimizing the environmental footprint, Honda will remain committed to proactive research and development of such technologies and products.
*1 One of the motorcycle categories in Europe. An EV in this category must weigh 400 kg or less excluding the weight of the battery and have output of 15 kW or less.
*2 By changing the rear seat, it is possible to seat one driver and one adult passenger.

Key Specifications of Micro Commuter Prototype

Vehicle size (length × width × height)

2,500 × 1,250 × 1,445 (mm)

Maximum speed

80 km/h

Maximum range

Approximately 60 km

Charging time

Less than 3 hours

Battery type

Lithium-ion battery

Maximum output

15 kW

* Honda plans to make necessary adjustments to comply with relevant laws and regulations.

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Yep Tony I have a Schwinn Mountain bike with a 50cc 2 cycle engine on her. I go thru traffic like poop thru a goose. I once had a cop chase me on it for no reason at all other than to look at it. Several weeks later that is that same cop caught up to me when I stopped in town to get a hair cut. the youngster never saw what an old flight line engineer can build in his workshop.. He just ordered one off of me because I build em now in my spare time..... More fun than a scooter no license no insurance. Just cheap fun and sun.

In France and Italy small L7 vehicles are used by the utilities, the post etc for their needs. That is the quadricycle market. The 'light quadricycles' (L6) don't need a licence to drive, and a lot of old people who have not got a licence drive them, as well as youths of 16 etc in the same countries.

Anonymous

1 Year Ago

As a battery ages it will not hold as much charge so before long it will only go 5 miles before it needs charging then how much will it cost to replace the battery. also how much does it cost to charge the battery to go 37 miles? This car is not cost effective. Plus which power company produces the electricity if they are using coal to generate electricity emissions is still high. That means this vehicle is not environment friendly. How much pollution is being released making these batteries.